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How to choose the best sunscreen

What to look for to get the safest protection

It used to be that your options were whether or not buy SPF 15 or 30, but now a trip to the sun care aisle can be really confusing. The SPF numbers go from five to 75, you can get waterproof or sweatproof, there are sprays and lotions, and some brands promise that you won't feel greasy after application. But which claims really stand up to the test, and are there ingredients you should look out for - or avoid - to get the best, safest protection?

The Food and Drug Administration in the United States recently announced new rules for sunscreen and sunblock makers, which will kick in by next summer. Health Canada also announced that they will follow suit with similar changes. Here are some of the new FDA rules:

Products with an SPF under 15 will have to have the following statement on the packaging: "This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging." Unless companies can prove that the SPF value is higher, they will be capped at 50 Unless companies can prove that the SPF value is higher, they will be capped at 50.

Sun care products can only be called "broad spectrum" if they protect against UVA and UVB rays

Sun care products can no longer be called waterproof, only water-resistant. The packaging must indicate the length of time the product will work in the water.

Sunscreen vs sunblockThe words "sunscreen" and "sunblock" are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. Sunscreen soaks into your skin, absorbing the sun's ultraviolet rays (UV) before they can cause skin damage. Ingredients like Parsol 1789 are sunscreens. Sunblock sits on top of your skin, physically blocking UV rays before they can reach your skin's surface. Ingredients like zinc dioxide are sunblocks. Most lotion brands are a combination of sunscreen and sunblock.

What to look forHere are some tips for when you go shopping for a new sun-care product.

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